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        New Message Board Archives >> 2004-2005 Getting to Know Ya Posts >> Metro Atlanta Chronic Clusters Contact in ATL
        
(Message started by: Glitterateur on Mar 14^th, 2005, 8:18am)

Title: Metro Atlanta Chronic Clusters Contact in ATL
Post by Glitterateur on Mar 14^th, 2005, 8:18am

My husband is on a prednisone taper after a period of 95 days and 75 Imitrex consumed. Also on Verapamil. No success with oxygen, but I really don't think the neurosurgeon dosed that properly. I would like to hear from someone in the metro Atlanta area who has had success with any of the so-called alternative therapies, which we are chomping at the bit to try. Also would like advice on our neurosurgeon and whether anyone has anyone else to suggest.

Title: Re: Metro Atlanta Chronic Clusters Contact in ATL
Post by floridian on Mar 14^th, 2005, 8:32am

95 days on prednisone??

Title: Re: Metro Atlanta Chronic Clusters Contact in ATL
Post by Gator on Mar 14^th, 2005, 10:20am

on 03/14/05 at 08:18:42, Glitterateur wrote:

Welcome to...Yeeowch! 95 days on prednisone? That is just scary. What dosage was he taking on what schedule?

As I started to say before the prednisone remarks, Welcome to the website. How long has your husband been diagnosed with cluster headaches? Is he chronic (more than a year with less than 30 consecutive days remission) or episodic (recurring periods of weeks/months of attacks followed by months or years of remission)?

There is tons of information about clusters in the links to the left and in the threads in the various message boards. Education is the key to proper treatment as most doctors, even most specialists know little to nothing about clusters. You may end up educating whatever doctor you see about them.

Here are a few more links to get your research going:

Here is a link to read and print and take to your doctor. It describes preventative, transitional, abortive and surgical treatments for CH.

http://www.brightok.net/~mnjday/chtherapy.pdf

Here is a link to some non-prescription alternatives different people have used to help with the pain:

http://www.clusterheadaches.org/resources/non_script_treat.htm

If you are currently taking medications, I would suggest you talk with your doctor before taking any of the nutritional supplements. At the very least check for interactions at a website such as:

http://www.drugdigest.org/DD/Home/AllAboutDrugs

Nutritional supplements can interact with prescription meds just the same as some prescription meds interact with each other. Better safe than sorry where your health is concerned.

Oxygen is an excellent abortive. Works for most people when used properly. Defintely try this. As well as it works, I have a hard time understanding why more doctors do not prescribe it. If your doc won't prescribe it for you, you might try welder's O2. It's the same pure oxygen used by medical suppliers. Many people here use it and would be more than happy to help you set it up. Here are some links that tells about using O2:

http://www.maplefallswebdesign.com/misc/oxygen/oxygen.htm

http://www.headaches.org/consumer/topicsheets/oxygen.html

http://www.chhelp.org/mhni.html

Here is a link to a letter that may help explain things to your friends, family and co-workers.

http://www.clusterheadaches.org/Cluster%20Headache%20Syndrome.doc

There is a list of doctors people have recommended here on the OUCH website:

http://www.clusterheadaches.org/doctors.htm

There are a few from Atlanta listed.

As for alternative treatments, check out the Kudsu thread in the medications board. It's about 16 or more pages long, but a very encouraging read. Go through the whole thing as there are updates throughout the thread. There is also another website about a different alternative treatment at http://www.clusterbusters.com

Again, welcome to our little corner of the web. There is no better place for information and support for cluster headaches.

Title: Re: Metro Atlanta Chronic Clusters Contact in ATL
Post by Glitterateur on Mar 14^th, 2005, 12:24pm

No, just started the prednisone taper in response to the heavy use of Imitrex during the preceding 95 day period. Thanks for the advice so far. I should also have said that I am looking for names of neurologists in ATL - not neurosurgeons, obviously. We did try oxygen but no effect, but from what I am seeing about dose, I don't think he was using it in a sufficiently strong amount. We can get the oxygen back, however, and will try it again.

Title: Re: Metro Atlanta Chronic Clusters Contact in ATL
Post by notseinfeld on Mar 14^th, 2005, 1:27pm

A new Cluster friend in Atlanta?---It's like an open faced poopie sandwich. Glad you're nearby, sorry you suffer as we all do.

Chronic Cluster Head David here--Live in Marietta, bout 1/2 North of the city and am black listed by most neurological centers due my big mouth pointing out the undereducated gods, I mean doctors. Would recommend the quirky but competent Dr. Sharon King *only* at this office:

http://atlantaneurology.com/physicians.html

Also have O2 cannisters at the house I'm happy to drop one off if you have difficulty obtaining them again. There's a trick to getting relief from these bad boys but keep it sub rosa. Can help with alternative info as well. PM me and I can follow up better.